CHENNAI,
OCT. 13.
Diabetics suffering from cardiovascular diseases can now opt for drug-eluting (coated) stents, which have proved to more useful than regular stents or bypass surgery. In developed countries, drug-eluting stents have been used with good results for three years now. Two kinds of drugs are used to prevent re-thickening of coronary artery walls caused by fat deposits.

Since its introduction, the incidence of re-narrowing of the artery, where the stent is placed, has been low, said G. Sengottuvel, consultant interventional cardiologist with the Porur-based Sri Ramachandra Hospital.

In the past six months, he implanted 60 drug-eluting stents. It was the best option for people with Type 2 diabetes as the hospital stay was reduced.

Prone to heart attacks

The commonest complication diabetics face is thickening of heart blood vessels, a condition known as coronary artery disease. Till recently, Type 2 diabetics were advised balloon angioplasty and in some cases insertion of stents to open up arteries and allow blood to flow from the heart through the artery.

Stents are thin meshes, which are inserted into the thickened artery. In balloon angioplasty, a balloon is inflated inside the thickened artery to expand the blood vessel and maintain blood flow. In diabetics, who do not control their blood sugar, the blood vessel narrows within six or nine months of angioplasty or stent insertion requiring another surgery.

Fat settles in arteries over a period of time and is visible at least three or four decades before the problem manifests itself as heart attack. As more and more fat settles along the inside walls of the coronary artery, blood flow is blocked. Pressure builds up resulting in heart attack.

A drug-coated stent costs Rs. 90, 000, which does not include surgery cost or hospital stay. Drug-coated stents are the best option for diabetic Indians since their blood vessels are smaller, says Dr. Sengottuvel.